After graduation some of us worked for a year at the Glendale Phone Co sorting toll call tickets. Our little group was Sallee Thatcher Geraci, Glenda, Diane and I who did that work. I then went back to Chicago for two years of College at North Park College. It then was on to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois for a BS in ED. Upon graduation I taught second grade at Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth, Illinois for five years. What a great experience it was. Then parenthood began.

I met Roger Smith during my sophomore year at North Park. We married in 1961, and celebrated our 43rd anniversary this past August 19. Our children are David Olof at 29 years, Heather Joan at 36 years and Paul Andrew, 39 years, who is married to Bonnie. They are parents of our granddaughter, Ciel Finn, who will be 7 years old in 2005.

We began married life in Evanston, and moved to Chautauqua, NY in 1971. Roger was a beef cattle farmer there for 5 years. A snowy winter of 1976 brought Roger job hunting to Pennsylvania. Thus 1977 began our residency in Camp Hill where Roger works for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

As I wanted to teach in Pa, I gained a Masters in General Education through Temple University. Since then I have been a substitute teacher, mostly in Special Education.

I will retire in 2005. This work has been an education for me. Bicycle riding for the last 20 years or walking two miles are usually a part of each day.

Since 2001 I have been a Master Gardener, a program conducted for horticulture education to the public, through the Penn State Cooperative Extension. I also joined the Penn-Cumberland Garden Club, for which I am Publicity Chair. Knitting, Sewing or beading occupy my time when I’m not pulling weeds or deadheading my flowers. This spring my granddaughter and I planted a sunflower room in her backyard. She wants to plant more flowers next year too.

The colors of the trees in Pennsylvania are gorgeous this fall. This is a beautiful place to live, cold weather and all. Our faith, and active life in Trinity Lutheran Church are important to us.

California is still a part of my life as two of my sisters and our son, David, live in CA.